Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 30 (ANI): A devastating accident occurred at the Ennore Thermal Power construction site in Tamil Nadu, where a steel arch collapsed, resulting in the deaths of nine workers on Tuesday. According to Dr. J Radhakrishnan, Chairman of the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO), the victims were migrant workers from Assam and nearby areas.
“There was an unfortunate incident at the Ennore Thermal Power construction site where a steel arch fell and nine people died. These people were from Assam and the surrounding areas. One person is injured. BHEL officials are present at the spot,” Radhakrishnan told reporters.
The preliminary reports indicate that one worker suffered serious injuries. More than 10 others were also injured and rushed to Stanley Government Hospital in North Chennai. Police officials confirmed that the exact cause of the accident is still under investigation, and authorities have launched a probe. Rescue operations remain ongoing.
Meanwhile, in another industrial mishap in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, six workers were killed and six others injured after the roof of a structure collapsed at a private steel plant in the Siltara industrial area. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed grief over the tragedy and directed the district administration to ensure proper medical care for the injured.
“Everything Else Just Collapsed”: Worker Recounts Horror at Ennore Site
A worker at the Ennore Thermal Power Station construction site recounted the terrifying moment when the steel arch collapsed.
“I am new here. I don’t know the name of that part very well. But it was the middle connection. Suddenly, there was a noise, and that middle part fell out, and then everything else just collapsed,” the worker told the media.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that all nine victims were migrant workers from Assam’s Karbi Anglong and Hojai districts. “We are coordinating with authorities in Tamil Nadu to bring back their mortal remains at the earliest,” he wrote in a post on X.
CM Sarma identified the victims as Munna Kemprai, Sorbojit Thausen, Phaibit Fanglu, Bidayum Porbosa, Paban Sorong, Prayanto Sorong, Suman Kharikap, Dimaraj Thousen, and Dipak Raijung. “My deepest condolences to their families and well-wishers,” he added.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also expressed sorrow over the deaths and announced ₹10 lakh compensation for the families of each victim. “I was deeply saddened to hear the news that nine workers from Assam lost their lives in an accident… I have ordered that compensation be provided and measures taken to transport their bodies to their home state,” Stalin said in his post on X.
Stalin also directed the state Electricity Minister and the Chairman of TANGEDCO to visit the site and oversee relief efforts.
PM Modi, CM Stalin Announce Ex-Gratia for Victims’ Families
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences over the tragedy and announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased, along with ₹50,000 for the injured.
“Saddened by the mishap due to the collapse of a building in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families in this difficult hour. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a post on X.
Tamil Nadu CM Stalin separately announced ₹10 lakh compensation for the families of each deceased worker. He expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and reiterated that arrangements would be made to send the victims’ bodies back to Assam.
Both the state and central governments have assured that investigations into the cause of the accident will be carried out and relief measures expedited.
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